There was a strong Belgian coup needed to eliminate another great player in the second round of the qualification in the Agipi Billard Masters. Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx were at the end the winners of group B. Nikos Polychronopoulos from Greece and Jérôme Barbeillon from France were send home with an attractive prizemoney, but without a ticket for the next round.

The second round, after the one that was won by Dick Jaspers and Roland Forthomme, again was from a very high level. And there was an exciting finish of the day, because Polychronopoulos turned into a huge fighter in his last match against Caudron.

The Belgian, who won his first two matches, was 24-12 behind in nine innings, but equalized with a run of twelve. And later in the match, when the Greek was leading comfortably again (38-28), Caudron broke away again, now with a run of eleven in the 18th inning.

Eddy Merckx, playing on the other table against Barbeillon, was leading at this moment with an large advantage on his opponent. He was sure to win, but needed a very good win if Polychronopoulos would beat Caudron on a high level. The finish came with a draw for Caudron and Polychronopoulos (50-50 in 26 innings) and a win for Merckx in 25 innings (50-17).

Caudron ended with a great average of 2.308 over three matches. That was a little less than Jaspers did a month ago (2.419). Merckx had 1.809, Polychronopoulos 1.671 and Barbeillon 1.141.
In the list of the prizemoney Caudron was the most lucky one with 5.200 euros, Merckx left the building with 2.300, Polychronopoulos with 1.950 and Barbeillon with 900 euros.

Caudron started as if he was playing at home and Eddy Merckx also made a very comfortable impression in the first session of their group in the Agipi Billiard Masters. The two belgian players won their matches with a respectable advantage on their opponents.

In the Agipi auditorium Caudron left the 33-year old Frenchman Jerôme Barbeillon behind him in the first part of their game. The Belgian, number 2 in the world ranking produced a run of nine in the 8th inning and was after 11 innings on the lead with 31-14. He finished in the 21th inning with four. Barbeillon scored only once from acquit: 50-28 in 21 innings.

Caudron’s comment: ”I always feel at home on these tables, so this is a good start for me.’’ He is in a period when he’s not making runs above ten... ”But it was a very regular game, I’m satisfied with it.’’

Eddy Merckx felt the breath of Polychronopoulos in his neck untill the 19th inning, when the Belgian was leading with 31-20. “That was the part of the match when I had to be careful’’, he said. The Greek player could’nt produce more than two’s and three’s, was sitting on his chair very precarious and saw Merckx win the game in 26 innings: 50-27.

Frédéric Caudron started as if he was playing at home and Eddy Merckx also made a very comfortable impression in the first session of their group in the Agipi Billiard Masters. The two belgian players won their matches with a respectable advantage on their opponents.

In the Agipi auditorium Caudron left the 33-year old Frenchman Jerôme Barbeillon behind him in the first part of their game. The Belgian, number 2 in the world ranking produced a run of nine in the 8th inning and was after 11 innings on the lead with 31-14. He finished in the 21th inning with four. Barbeillon scored only once from acquit: 50-28 in 21 innings.

Caudron’s comment: ”I always feel at home on these tables, so this is a good start for me.’’ He is in a period when he’s not making runs above ten... ”But it was a very regular game, I’m satisfied with it.’’

Eddy Merckx felt the breath of Polychronopoulos in his neck untill the 19th inning, when the Belgian was leading with 31-20. “That was the part of the match when I had to be careful’’, he said. The Greek player could’nt produce more than two’s and three’s, was sitting on his chair very precarious and saw Merckx win the game in 26 innings: 50-27.